as in ridicules
to make (someone or something) the object of unkind laughter
my brothers derided our efforts, but were forced to eat their words when we won first place
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Recent Examples of derides
The influential author derides secularism and the modern world.
—
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for derides
Verb
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Though Claudius ridicules Hamlet for his emotional vulnerability, his grief drives him to avenge his father and emerge as a hero.—
Jeanette Tran,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
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Back in their teenage years, Lexi’s older sister Andrea is depicted as a mean girl who ridicules Catherine mercilessly.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
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While most of Hell mocks her goal, her devoted partner Vaggi, and their first test subject, adult-film star Angel Dust, stick by her side.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Derides.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/derides. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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